Windows 7 won't allow format of HD.

I installed a 256GB SSD into my m17xr4, clean installed windows onto it as well. I ordered the laptop with a 750gb HD which still has windows on it. When I try to format the HD it gives the auto response drive is still in use shut down any programs blah blah blah. So I tried the install windows method only when the box came up to which drive do you wish to install windows. There was no option to delete anything on the partition. Only had the refresh option? I heard about DBAN, but would the use of it fit this situation? Any suggestions? Just plan on using the HD as extra storage and I don't want windows boot manager asking me which Windows 7, I want to boot from everytime I turn on the laptop. Also do I have to boot from disk in order for this install windows method to work?

 

You could just make a gparted boot disc or boot flash drive, boot from it and use that to wipe the HDD. However, it's possible your bootloader is still on the HDD, did you try booting without the HDD inside the notebook?

 

No I haven't tried booting without the HDD in the laptop. Guess I can give that a try. Would the bootloader not be on the SSD even after a clean install of windows? Sorry I'm new to all this.

 

It depends, i've had at least one instance where the windows installer put the bootloader on one of my desktop HDDs. HDD was on SATA port 0 and SSD was on SATA port 1. Getting the bootloader back onto the SSD turned out to be a hassle. If the bootloader is on the HDD, it's probably on a 100MB partition which you could keep and just wipe the rest, but to be on the safe side, i'd make a windows repair disc if the bootloader is on the HDD so you can always reload it to the SSD if something goes wrong.

I also remember one time when windows wouldn'T want to format a HDD like you described, i used gparted and there was no ill effects.

 

Yeah my SSD is in SATA port 0 and HDD in SATA port 1. Guess I will know once I take out the HDD. If the bootloader is indeed on the SSD what step should I take next?

 

Download g parted, make either a bootable disc or a bootable flash drive and use it to format the HDD. Other utilities like parted magic would work as well, i haven't seen anything that gparted couldn't format yet and it does things that windows can't. DBAN is used to remove all data from a disc, not format it, great when you want to get rid of a HDD and want your personal data gone.

 

Ok cool, is there any possible way to tell where the bootloader is without having to take the HDD out?

 

Well, if you installed windows on the SSD without the HDD in the notebook it is definitely on the SSD, otherwise i don't know if there's a way to check.

 

Ok so after taking out my HDD, windows won't launch so I assume the bootloader is on the HDD. So what now? Do I have to do another clean install of Windows on the SSD without the HDD in?

 

This should help you: How to Manually Repair Windows 7 Boot Loader Problems - How-To Geek

Do that without the HDD of course.

 

Thank you very much will give this a try later on will let you know how it works.

 

Yeah I followed that guide and on the box where it shows which OS would you like to repair nothing shows up. Then it gives an option to load drivers but I have no I idea what to load? Do I need to do another clean install of windows?

 

bump^ any other suggestions?

 

Sorry, i don't remember how exactly how i fixed mine, i remember using a windows repair disc, but that's about it. If you just did a clean install, now is the time to reinstall if it gets too complicated for you. If you do so, remove the HDD prior to installing windows.